Murray wins Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI (AFP) - Awesome Andy Murray sealed an Asian title treble at the Shanghai Masters Sunday with a 7-5, 6-4 win over David Ferrer, guaranteeing he will leapfrog Roger Federer in the rankings for the first time, to number three. Defending champion Murray was tested by the Spaniard but ultimately had too much for the world number five, wrapping up his eighth Masters title in one hour and 45 minutes. It is the third ATP tour title in as many weeks for Murray "It's been one of the best runs of my life. I've played very, very well the last few weeks and was very nervous because I wanted to try and win here and defend my title," said Murray. Murray admitted that topping Swiss 16-time Grand Slam winner Federer in the rankings was a boost. The first game of the match at the Qi Zhong stadium lasted 10 minutes with a succession of lengthy baseline rallies before Murray broke to seize an early advantage -- only for Ferrer to immediately break back. Serve then dominated until the 11th game, which proved to be the turning point of the set and the match, Ferrer double-faulting to lose the game after looking comfortable at 30-0. The second set followed the same pattern at the start, with Murray grabbing the early break only for Ferrer to pull level at 1-1 as the Scot smashed a ball into the ground in frustration. Ferrer, 29, who was disappointed with his serving, said: "Today it was impossible to beat Andy. "In Shanghai I've had the best moments of my career. I reached the final in 2007 (Masters Cup) and again this year. I hope to win it next year. I know it will be difficult but Shanghai is my second home," he added. When the new rankings are issued on Monday, Murray will have just Novak Djokovic and Nadal ahead of him as he targets finishing the year as the number three player in the world, something he has never achieved before. Murray has been ranked as high as number two but his highest year-end finish is number four. He has never been ranked higher than Federer. Murray's successful defence of his Shanghai Masters crown means that Federer, absent from Shanghai, will slip to number four -- his lowest ranking in more than eight years.